Are Smokers Different From Non-Smokers?
In a word, yes. It is well documented that smoking puts the body under significant stress. At a cellular level, stress is in the form of harmful oxidants. Oxidants or free radicals can damage cells and lead to numerous diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and emphysema. In fact, every puff on a cigarette releases as many as 100 TRILLION harmful oxidants into the body. In order to neutralize these effects, the body relies on substances that can counteract free radicals known as antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in large quantities in fruits and vegetables. Since smoking causes high amounts of oxidative stress, it is agreed that smokers need large amounts of anti-oxidants. Unfortunately people who smoke typically have diets low in fruits and vegetables. In fact, intake of helpful antioxidants is lower in smokers than non-smokers. To make matters worse, smoking also causes vitamin deficiencies giving smokers even less chance to battle free radical damage.* So unlike non-smokers, smo
